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Streamlining Microsoft Windows 10 Updates Package Downloads

Monthly Windows 10 Updates are getting more streamlined and smaller in overall size. For companies that manage a vast array of hardware, this can make a huge difference in bandwidth costs. Also this week: ways for mobile admins to manage mobile data, Microsoft’s plans for app updates on Windows Phone 8.x and Windows 8/8.1 devices, identity management in the Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft 365’s security focus.

In this Windows as a Service (WaaS) world, IT pros are no sooner getting comfortable with one feature update then the next one is rolled out. It's a lot of work -- and that is why streamlining the various Microsoft Windows 10 Updates package in the next feature update is a big deal.

The specific update packages in question are the quality updates released each month. These are used to address security, performance and other bugs in the operating system. Earlier this year Microsoft confirmed their plans to end Delta Updates since their system of Express Updates is now available to all third-party update management systems. That will happen in February 2019.

Now they have announced further plans to reduce the size of Microsoft Windows 10 Updates to continue reducing the network impact and complexity of the updates for admins.

Once Windows 10 (RS5) and Windows Server 2019 ship later this year, there will just be one update package in both Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), the Microsoft Update Catalog and Windows Update. This package will be redistributable according to Microsoft and is expected to not only save bandwidth but also be 40% more memory efficient.

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Google wants to help admins who manage Android devices to monitor data usage to prevent overage changes for your companies’ employees. Datally is a new app from Google that can help monitor and put controls on that data usage including preventing data leakage and helping users find Wi-Fi hotspots to avoid using mobile data.

Microsoft informed developers and users about the company’s plans to end support for accepting new Microsoft Store apps for devices running Windows Phone 8.x and Windows 8/8.1. Key dates to know are: October 31, 2018: No new app submissions; updates to existing apps will still be accepted; July 1, 2019: App updates for Windows Phone 8.x will still be accepted but they will only be made available to Windows 10 Mobile devices; July 1, 2023: All app updates for Windows 8/8.1 devices will stop being distributed.

If your company uses the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) then it is possible to tie your existing identity management system into GCP for your admins. Users must have a Google Account to make this connection, but Google lays out a simple flowchart to help you make the shift for your IT staff.

Microsoft's latest subscription service includes Office, cloud storage, collaboration tools, business applications, security and device management. Recently, a three-part series of blog posts from Microsoft focused on the security within the subscription service and how it ties everything together in that ecosystem. You can read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 to get up to speed and then supplement that with sessions during Microsoft Ignite.